University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, April 3
Knoxville
6 PM ET
University of Tennessee
31-6, 8-6
1
vs
5
South Carolina
23-16, 3-8
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
South Carolina
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
5
4
1
Tennessee
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
4
2
No. 7 Tennessee Falls to No. 25 South Carolina, 5-1
April 03, 2026 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 7 Tennessee dropped a 5-1 decision to No. 25 South Carolina on Friday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Tennessee (31-6, 8-6 SEC) turned to Karlyn Pickens in the circle to start Game 2. The right-hander worked three innings, allowing three runs – one earned – on two hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Pickens (9-4) was charged with the loss.
Erin Nuwer came on in relief and threw 3.1 frames. She allowed two runs – one earned – on two hits with no walks and one strikeout.
Freshman Peyton Hardenburger recorded the final two outs in the top of the seventh.
South Carolina (23-16, 3-8) capitalized on early opportunities to take control. The Gamecocks pushed across two unearned runs in the third inning following a Tennessee error, then added another in the fourth on a bases-loaded fielder's choice to extend the lead to 3-0.
The Gamecocks continued to build their advantage in the sixth when Taryn Ensley led off the inning with a solo home run to center field.
Tennessee broke through in the bottom of the sixth after Ella Dodge drew a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position before coming home on an RBI single down the left-field line by Gabby Leach, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
South Carolina added an insurance run in the seventh, using a Tennessee error and an RBI double to make it 5-1.
The Lady Vols were limited to four hits on the night, with Meredith Barnhart recording two. Jori Heard went the distance in the circle for South Carolina to earn the win, improving to 6-5 on the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee returns to action Saturday night for the series finale against South Carolina. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Tennessee (31-6, 8-6 SEC) turned to Karlyn Pickens in the circle to start Game 2. The right-hander worked three innings, allowing three runs – one earned – on two hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Pickens (9-4) was charged with the loss.
Erin Nuwer came on in relief and threw 3.1 frames. She allowed two runs – one earned – on two hits with no walks and one strikeout.
Freshman Peyton Hardenburger recorded the final two outs in the top of the seventh.
South Carolina (23-16, 3-8) capitalized on early opportunities to take control. The Gamecocks pushed across two unearned runs in the third inning following a Tennessee error, then added another in the fourth on a bases-loaded fielder's choice to extend the lead to 3-0.
The Gamecocks continued to build their advantage in the sixth when Taryn Ensley led off the inning with a solo home run to center field.
Tennessee broke through in the bottom of the sixth after Ella Dodge drew a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position before coming home on an RBI single down the left-field line by Gabby Leach, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
South Carolina added an insurance run in the seventh, using a Tennessee error and an RBI double to make it 5-1.
The Lady Vols were limited to four hits on the night, with Meredith Barnhart recording two. Jori Heard went the distance in the circle for South Carolina to earn the win, improving to 6-5 on the season.
DUE UP
Tennessee returns to action Saturday night for the series finale against South Carolina. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jori Heard (6-5)
L: Pickens, Karlyn (9-4)
Batting:
2B: Karley Shelton 1
HR: Tori Ensley 1
RBI: Karley Shelton 1 ; Arianna Rodi 2 ; Tori Ensley 1 ; Nia McKnight 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Quincee Lilio 1 ; Karley Shelton 1 ; Tori Ensley 2 ; Lexie Shaver 1
Batting:
2B: Morrison, Elsa 1
RBI: Leach, Gabby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Dodge, Ella 1
HBP: Leach, Alannah 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballSB | Karen Weekly Postgame vs. South Carolina (4.3.26)
Friday, April 03
SB | Karen Weekly Postgame vs. South Carolina (4.2.26)
Thursday, April 02
SB | Karlyn Pickens Postgame vs. South Carolina (4.2.26)
Thursday, April 02
SB | Alannah Leach Postgame vs. South Carolina (4.2.26)
Thursday, April 02
